How to say “when” in Chinese with 当 (dāng)
当 (dāng) + Time / Event + 的时候 (de shíhou), Main Clause
当 (dāng) — when, at the time
当 (dāng) + Time / Event + 的时候 (de shíhou), Main Clause
HSK 5Nouns当 (dāng) — when, at the time
Rule structure
当 (dāng) is a formal/precise "when". It is always followed by 的时候 (de shíhou) (or 时 (shí)) and introduces a specific point in time.
Rule structure
当 (dāng) is a formal/precise "when". It is always followed by 的时候 (de shíhou) (or 时 (shí)) and introduces a specific point in time.
Examples
当我回家的时候，天已经黑了。
Dāng wǒ huí jiā de shíhòu, tiān yǐjīng hēi le.
When I got home, it was already dark.
Examples
当我回家的时候，天已经黑了。
Dāng wǒ huí jiā de shíhòu, tiān yǐjīng hēi le.
When I got home, it was already dark.
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Frequently asked questions
How do you say “when, at the time” in Chinese with 当?
Use the structure: 当 (dāng) + Time / Event + 的时候 (de shíhou), Main Clause. For example: 当我回家的时候，天已经黑了。 — “When I got home, it was already dark.”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
当我回家的时候，天已经黑了。 — “When I got home, it was already dark.”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 5.
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More HSK 5 grammar rules
当中 — among
Noun / Group + 当中 (dāngzhōng)
这个 — name-calling with “this”
Noun + 这个 (zhège) + Category
以来 — ever since
Time / Event + 以来 (yǐlái)，⋯⋯
彼此 — each other
彼此 (bǐcǐ) + Verb
坏了 — extremely, awfully
Verb / Adj. + 坏了 (huàile)
万一 — what if
万一 (wànyī) + (Undesirable) Condition + 怎么办 (zěnme bàn)？
就是 — even if…
就是 (jiùshì)⋯⋯，也 (yě)⋯⋯
还…呢 — still in progress
Subj. + 还 (hái) + Predicate + 呢 (ne)